The state's economy and unemployment is the biggest worry for 31 percent of
Connecticut voters, followed by 23 percent who list taxes as the biggest problem facing the
state, according to a Quinnipiac College Poll released today. Twelve percent list education.

Asked to decide who would do the best job handling the most important problem they
listed, 40 percent choose U.S. Rep. Barbara Kennelly, the Democratic challenger in the race
for governor, while 36 percent choose Republican incumbent John Rowland.

Rowland's job approval stands at 61 - 30 percent, and an identical 61 percent are "very
satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with life in Connecticut -- up from 39 percent in an April,
1995, poll by the independent Quinnipiac College.

"While voters list economic issues as their biggest concern, there has been a major
change in perceptions about the state economy. In April, 1995, only 34 percent of voters
thought the economy was in good shape. Today, that number is up to 70 percent," said
Quinnipiac College Poll Director Douglas Schwartz. "Compared to 1995/96, fewer voters are
citing the economy/jobs as their top concern, while taxes and education have risen in
importance. And concern about crime has dropped to 4 percent among voters."

By a 43 - 21 percent margin, Connecticut voters have a favorable opinion of Rowland,
with 30 percent mixed and 6 percent saying they don't know enough to form an opinion.
Favorability for potential challengers is:

Sen. Christopher Dodd holds a 60 - 27 percent lead over former U.S. Rep. Gary Franks
in the '98 Senate matchup.

Things in Connecticut have gotten better since Rowland became governor, according to
42 percent of voters, while 21 percent say they've gotten worse and 35 percent say they're the
same. A total of 72 percent give Rowland "a lot" or "some" of the credit -- or blame.

Public schools are "very good" or "fairly good," according to 69 percent of voters.
Only 19 percent say schools are better in the last four years, while 29 percent say they're worse
and 45 percent say they're the same.

Twelve percent say Rowland's tax cuts have been good for them personally, while 8
percent say they've been bad and 78 percent say they've made little difference.

"While the race for Governor starts off at a dead heat, there is still a big gender gap:
Most men prefer Rowland and most women side with Kennelly," Schwartz said.

"Gov. Rowland clearly benefits from a rebounding economy, but Rep. Kennelly is seen
as better able to handle the issues of education, environment and the poor. Voters are divided
on taxes, with most saying tax cuts have not had much impact on the state or their own lives."

From November 11 - 17, Quinnipiac College surveyed 1,120 Connecticut residents who
say they are registered voters. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percent. The
Quinnipiac College Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey and
Connecticut as a public service and for research.

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way John Rowland is handling his job
as Governor of Connecticut?

Oct 8
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997

Approve 61% 80% 47% 61% 67% 56% 61%

Disapprove 30 13 45 31 26 35 32

DK/NA 8 7 9 8 7 9 8

1a. Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?

Oct 8
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997

Approve strongly 20% 38% 7% 19% 25% 16% 22%

Approve smwht 41 42 40 42 42 41 38

Disapprove smwht 15 6 23 16 13 18 17

Disapprove strongly 15 8 22 15 13 17 15

DK/NA 8 7 9 8 7 9 8

2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Lieberman is handling his
job as United States Senator?

Oct 9
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997

Approve 69% 67% 77% 67% 69% 70% 71%

Disapprove 17 22 13 17 19 16 18

DK/NA 13 11 10 16 13 14 11

3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christopher Dodd is handling his
job as United States Senator?

5. Is your opinion of United States Representative Barbara Kennelly
favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her?

Oct 9
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997

Favorable 39% 24% 52% 40% 34% 44% 42%

Unfavorable 8 15 3 9 11 6 10

Mixed 12 16 10 12 13 12 15

Haven't heard enough 39 44 35 38 40 38 32

REFUSED 1 1 - 2 2 - 1

6. Is your opinion of Governor John Rowland favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or
haven't you heard enough about him?

Oct 9
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997

Favorable 43% 63% 25% 45% 52% 36% 50%

Unfavorable 21 11 31 19 19 22 24

Mixed 30 21 36 30 24 35 21

Haven't heard enough 6 5 7 5 5 7 4

REFUSED - - - - - - 1

7. If the 1998 election for Governor were being held today and the candidates
were John Rowland the Republican, and Joe Ganim the Democrat, for whom would
you vote?

Oct 9
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997

Rowland/Republican 50% 81% 24% 50% 58% 41% 52%

Ganim/Democrat 31 13 54 25 25 37 27

SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) 4 2 3 6 3 4 4

WOULDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 - 2 4 3 2 3

DK/NA 14 4 17 16 11 16 15

8. If the 1998 election for Governor were being held today and the candidates
were John Rowland the Republican, and Barbara Kennelly the Democrat, for whom
would you vote?

Oct 9
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997

Rowland/Republican 43% 74% 16% 43% 53% 33% 43%

Kennelly/Democrat 44 19 72 41 35 53 42

SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 1 1 1 1 2

WOULDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - 1 1 1 1 2

DK/NA 11 7 10 14 10 12 11

9A.(If Rowland voter) Would you say you are more for John Rowland or against
Barbara Kennelly?

Rowland voter

For Rowland 83%

Against Kennelly 11

DK/NA 6

9B. Would you say you are more for Barbara Kennelly or against John Rowland?

Kennelly voter

For Kennelly 62%

Against Rowland 32

DK/NA 6

10. Now I would like to ask you about the good and bad points of Barbara
Kennelly and John Rowland. Regardless of how you intend to vote, what are the
things you like most about John Rowland? (Column percentages add up to more than
100% because multiple responseswere allowed)